667 suicides in SA each month

[Hemi300c]

CAPE TOWN - At least 667 people commit suicide every month in South Africa, according to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag).

Sadag says there are many factors linked to suicides, but a big contributing factor is undiagnosed depression or other forms of mental illness.

Sadag’s Dessie Tzoneva told the Redi Tlhabi Show that suicide remains a problem throughout the year.

“It really isn’t particularly linked to the festive season. It is a year round phenomenon. We do tend to look at it a bit more at this time of the year, simply because there’s a big media focus on the results that are coming out for matriculants.”

She says they believe the daily suicide rate of 23 may be under reported.

“We think it’s an under-reported figure because suicide is not very well researched in the country. A lot of people don’t want to admit when that has been the cause of a death, especially in certain cultures there’s a lot of stigma around suicide.”

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal police have denied reports that five teenagers have committed suicide after failing their matric exams, saying the story is a hoax.

EWN

This is sad.

 

[satanboy]

How many are successful?

Why is it sad?

 

[Compton_effect]

One less and I'd be very worried.

 

[Batista]

Sad in what sense? The loved ones you are leaving behind or is it because its such a high number?

 

[Nick333]

How many are successful?

Why is it sad?

How many of the suicides are successful. Think about that for a moment.

 

[Nick333]

Is that a high figure?

 

[drnaphtali]

How many are successful?

Why is it sad?

I am of the opinion that 'suicide' in itself implies a successful attempt, otherwise they would have explicitly mentioned 'suicide attempts' of which you can ask "how many were successful"

 

[atomcrusher]

One less and I'd be very worried.

You beat me to it :twisted:
Imagine if it was 666 :erm:

 

[Shellyb1]

Must actually be 666 and they decided to up the number by 1 to freak people out less.

 

[ShaunSA]

Must actually be 666 and they decided to up the number by 1 to freak people out less.

Only a religiot would freak out at that.

 

[satanboy]

I am of the opinion that 'suicide' in itself implies a successful attempt, otherwise they would have explicitly mentioned 'suicide attempts' of which you can ask "how many were successful"

fair enough

 

[RyanPCMR]

I am of the opinion that 'suicide' in itself implies a successful attempt, otherwise they would have explicitly mentioned 'suicide attempts' of which you can ask "how many were successful"

You are correct. A suicide is a successful attempt at killing yourself. The unsuccessful attempts are referred to as para-suicides and these are also being monitored.